Multi-Component School-Based Weight-Management Program Improve Physical Fitness and Vascular Reactivity in Obese Adolescent

Abstract

The prevalence of childhood obesity has increased markedly in both eastern and western countries. Development of obesity in early life could lead to serious health problems including a premature cardiovascular disease. Therefore, a primary prevention such as an effective weight management program would be needed in order to minimize the adverse effects of childhood obesity. PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine the effects of multi-component school-based weight-management program on body composition, physical fitness and vascular function and structure in obese adolescents. METHODS: Twenty-eight obese adolescents (21 males, 75%) between the ages of 13 and 15 (14.1±0.8) at or above the sex-specific 90th percentile on BMI-for-age growth charts were recruited. Participants were randomly assigned into control (CON; n=12) and intervention (INT, n=16) groups. The INT group participated in a multi-component school-based intervention for 10 weeks which included supervised after-school physical activities, dietary and daily physical activities related advices. Moreover, school-health promotion environment and health education lectures for school staffs, students and parents were included in the program. Non-curricular physical activities (i.e., running, playing games and resistance training) were performed moderate to vigorous aerobic activities for 50 minutes/day, three days a week on alternate days. Body composition, physical fitness, vascular function (brachial-FMD) and structure (IMT and baPWV) were measured before and after intervention. RESULTS: After 10-week of multi-component school-based weight-management program, body mass (89.7±8.6 vs. 88.0±10.5, p<0.05) and body fat percentage (44.13±5.27 vs. 41.22±6.74, p<0.05) significantly decreased only in an INT group. Peak oxygen consumption (29.25±2.41 vs. 31.56±3.05, p<0.05) and health related physical fitness increased only in an INT group (p<0.05). Moreover, vascular reactivity of an INT group was improved after 10-week program compared with a CON group (6.81±2.25 vs. 3.62±1.48, p<0.05). There was no change in artery wall thickness and stiffness in any group. CONCLUSIONS: Multi-component school-based weight-management program may be an effective primary prevention for reducing cardiovascular disease risk factors.